Enabling stroke victims to interact with a microcomputer--a comparison of input devices.

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation technology
• Human-computer interaction
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Aphasia, a language disorder common after stroke, significantly impacts communication and computer interaction.
• Assistive technology plays a crucial role in restoring functional abilities for stroke survivors.
• Evaluating user-friendly input devices is essential for enhancing computer accessibility for individuals with aphasia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the usability of five common input devices for individuals with aphasia.
• To determine which input device offers the best performance and user satisfaction for this population.
• To inform the selection of assistive technology for stroke rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

• Comparative evaluation of five input devices: mouse, joystick, tracker ball, concept keyboard, and touch screen.
• Testing involved content-free tasks simulating language stimulation exercises.
• Data collection included success rates, task completion times, and subjective user preference.

Main Results:

• The tracker ball device yielded the highest success rates among the tested input devices.
• Users expressed a higher subjective preference for the tracker ball compared to other devices.
• Performance metrics like time varied across devices, with the tracker ball showing promising results.

Conclusions:

• The tracker ball is recommended as a highly effective input device for individuals with aphasia interacting with microcomputers.
• Findings support the use of tracker balls in assistive technology strategies for stroke rehabilitation.
• Further research could explore adaptive interfaces tailored to specific aphasia profiles.